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• Transitioning from the Military From: unwachuku  Jul 09, 2012 Posts 1

  I am a (newly promoted) Sergeant in the US Army. My job specialty is in Intelligence: Human Intelligence and Counterintelligence (35M - 35L). I have been in the Army for four years, in which time I earned two associates degrees one in Chinese Mandarin (Defense Language Institute; GPA: 3.94) and the other in Intelligence Operations (Cochise College; GPA: 3.7). I am currently completing a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from The Pennsylvania State University maintaining a current 4.0 GPA. I have one year left in the Army and will be 26 yrs old when I leave the military/ETS.  I read, write, and speak Chinese Mandarin (DLPT 2+/2+/2) and have deployment experience to Iraq as the Brigade-Level Human Intelligence Requirement Manager. I have also done some tutoring work for the school-aged children of military servicemembers as a volunteer.   My question is a bit pre-mature as I do not believe that I am yet in a position to apply to Wharton. My question is with regard to my transition from the military. I am planning to do a year of civilian work before starting the application process. I have a few options that have been presented to me and I'd like to know which is the best one to increase my admission consideration. 1. Internship at the FBI 2. Working for a Media Company in Shanghai, China 3. Position with Booz, Allen, Hamilton doing Intelligence work Reply

• Re: Transitioning from the Military From: victormlee  Jul 09, 2012 Posts 2,531

  In reply to

  unwachuku, Congratulations on your E-5 promotion!  First, note that Wharton frequently accepts servicemen and servicewomen directly from the military (as well as after some time in civilian life).  Second, I believe you are asking the wrong question as you are thinking of Wharton more as an "end goal" than as a stepping stone en route to a well thought out career objective. Choose the civilian work that best aligns with what you ultimately want to do. If you are not accepted to Wharton, you should still be happy with your choice. That is the "proper" way to think about the decision, in my opinion - and one that will likely make you more successful in the application process.  What is important is not which of the three choices, above, you elect (or some fourth "other" choice), but how that choice fits into your bigger picture goals and objectives. It is also how well you manage to craft the story and the explanation of your choice in your application. That has a bigger determinant influence on your likelihood of admission than does the abstract choice itself. A good applicant could make almost any choice "work" if they have a compelling message regarding their choice and how it fits into why they seek a Wharton MBA. Good luck, Victor WG '11   Reply

• Re: Transitioning from the Military From: Fanaticalfan  Jul 10, 2012 Posts 1,159

  In reply to

  I agree with Victor - your choice is probably best seen in the context of whatever will be most relevant to your long term post-Wharton goals. Also, the Wharton Veterans Club has a strong admissions outreach program. http://clubs.wharton.upenn.edu/veterans/index.htm You may want to get in touch with them and discuss how they other serving and former miltary have transitioned to Wharton. Lieut FF Reply